Turn-down service for first class fliers

United Airlines' new turn-down service includes a new sleeping cushion for its lie-flat seats.

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United Airlines is offering new turn-down service in first class on international flights

A sleeping cushion with a 250-thread count cover is part of the new offering

Multi-course meals and fine wines are part of the airline's existing Global First service

Sweet dreams on an airplane generally are reserved for first class passengers. And United Airlines is sweetening that dreamy proposition for their premier passengers with a new turn-down service on long-haul international flights.

Upon request, crew members will make up a passenger's flat-bed suite, plumped up with a new sleeping cushion with a 250 thread-count cover, plus the airline's standard duvet, pillows and Philosophy-brand toiletry kit. Note: there are mints in the toiletry kit, but not on the pillow.

"Throughout their travel experience, our Global First customers expect the highest level of service," said Mark Bergsrud, United's senior vice president of marketing, in a statement. "The new turn-down service offers customers even more comfort, enabling them to arrive at their destinations refreshed and ready to go."

United Global First is offered on most flights to Europe, Asia, Africa, India, the Middle East, South America and the South Pacific, and flights between Tokyo and Bangkok, Seoul, Singapore and Taipei.

United isn't the first airline to offer turn-down service, according to Bryan Saltzburg, general manager of TripAdvisor Flights and SeatGuru. "A number of international carriers have been offering turn-down service for years in their premium cabins," Saltzburg said in an e-mail. American Airlines was the first U.S. carrier to offer the service, he said.

U.S. airline offerings have been lagging behind international airlines for years, Saltzburg said.

"With Singapore Air and Cathay Pacific setting the bar for Asia, Lufthansa and (British Airways) for Europe, and now the aggressively-rising Middle East carriers like Emirates and Etihad setting a new standard, American carriers are starting to focus more heavily on their premium cabins."

In addition to the new bedding service, United's first class passengers are also treated to multi-course meals and fine wines among other perks. These luxuries do come at a price. A search Monday for a Chicago to London roundtrip flight the first week in December yielded Global First tickets starting at more than $12,000. Bon voyage, business executives.